The Green Bay Packers played their two best games of the season in the weeks before Thursday night at Ford Field against the mighty Detroit Lions.
The “ratings” from Pro Football Focus are by no means definitive when it comes to evaluating performance, but the Packers earned their highest overall ratings of the season as a team during their 38-10 victory over San Francisco Over the past two weeks, the 49ers and 30-17 have been winning from the Miami Dolphins. Most importantly, the grades match the vision test.
In both games, the Packers dominated the offensive line, defended the series well, and attacked well. The passing game was more proficient and wasted fewer opportunities in the red zone. Most of the lingering issues keeping the Packers from going from good to great have finally been smoothed out.
After having to escape and have last-second wins over the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, the Packers easily beat two talented teams in five days.
“We are physically active in every phase of football,” coach Matt LaFleur said after the win over the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day.
The challenge now will be to keep the streak going against arguably the NFL’s best team in 2024. The Lions picked six and passed the Packers in the first meeting at Lambeau Field. Dan Campbell’s team currently has an NFL-best record of 11-1 after winning 10 straight games.
Again, PFF ratings aren’t everything. However, the Lions enter Week 14 with the highest overall rating and the No. 2 overall rating on offense and defense. This is an elite team.
However, no team wants to peak too early. The regular season is a marathon, with teams looking to hit full speed ahead in December and January. The Packers limped at times early in the season, due in part to injuries at the quarterback position, but victories over the 49ers and Dolphins are examples of the Packers gaining momentum and approaching cruising altitude as an significant stretch of the schedule approaches.
With a victory over the Lions, the Packers can not only virtually guarantee a playoff spot, but also get back into the NFC North race. Next week, the Packers will travel to Seattle to take on the NFC West-leading Seahawks in prime time. The season ends with league games against the Minnesota Vikings and Bears.
The Lions have been dealing with injuries on both sides of the field, and Campbell’s team just needed a dramatic escape from the slumping Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day. The Packers just played their two best games of the season. Is this a chance for LaFleur’s team to continue their rivalry with a Super Bowl contender?
